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not sell off all his /her land to be carved into subdivision <br />lots. Through clustering of lots with open space set - asides, <br />the farmer can realize return on his land (investment) and <br />keep the better fields in agricultural open space - buffered <br />from the low density residential development. This concept <br />practised at Fearrington Village on US 15/501 in Chatham <br />County. Other means of fostering agriculture include a <br />Purchase of Development Rights program, and endorsement <br />identifyin existing farms to potential developpers or lot <br />buyers - tgereby minimizing the nemesis of the farmer in <br />developing areas - the nuisance suit! <br />Natural and Visual Resources <br />is <br />of <br />The Rural Buffer portion of the County is amply blessed with <br />an abundance of natural resources. From our streams and <br />forests, to specific sites of wildlife habitats and <br />endangered flora, protection of these resources must be of <br />paramount importance. <br />In addition to these natural resources, many also play a <br />visibly pleasing role. Our rolling vistas and bucolic <br />pastoral settings are indeed a resource unto themselves <br />our visual resources. <br />How then to coordinate the often -conflicting concepts of <br />property owners development rights and protection of <br />resources? The Committee considered a number of alternatives <br />to come u with a resource protection strategy for the Rural <br />Buffer. After much deliberation both with residents and <br />experts in the field, came the realization that the rural <br />property owners in the buffer have been stewards of the land, <br />many for generation upon generation. Instead of assuming a <br />worst case and recommending inflexible restrictions on <br />landowners to protect resources, the committee opted to turn <br />this negative around and utilize voluntary incentive <br />measures. <br />The Committee came to the conclusion that by recognizin and <br />encouraging the protection of natural resources in the buffer <br />by landowners the goal of protecting the environment might <br />be greatly furthered. <br />This can best be accomplished by encouragin development to <br />cluster with open space set - asides that include <br />environmentally -sensitive areas. The further use of flexible <br />site - sensitive design standards in the strategy for the rural <br />buffer also enhances this goal. <br />